Micro 1,6.. Canon's 4/3?

I recently read a review of the OLYMPUS EP-1. It made me think. What if canon made a SLR camera without the Mirror-box, but kept the APS-C size sensor allowing for a very compact camera but still maintained compatibility with EF lenses?

roger767 wrote in post #8341977
I recently read a review of the OLYMPUS EP-1. It made me think. What if canon made a SLR camera without the Mirror-box, but kept the APS-C size sensor allowing for a very compact camera but still maintained compatibility with EF lenses?

The register distance from the lens mount to the sensor plane would not change, so the camera could not get thinner front to back even if you removed the mirror. About all this scheme would do for you is delete the bulk of the prism off the top of the camera, the rest of the dimensions would be unchanged.

Also, most EOS lenses are big. Even the smallest such as the 18-55, 35/2 and 50/1.8 are never going to be pocketable.

I think Oly has a better path with the micro 4/3rds. Canon could do a micro 1.6X I suppose, but to make a smaller camera it would need a dedicated lens line that has a smaller register distance.

Ultimately I would like to see someone other than Leica (read: affordable) make a digital rangefinder. But since rangefinders only work with prime lenses and the mass market only wants 'lots of zoom' I doubt such a camera would sell at a high enough volume to be affordable.

Until then the EP-1 looks pretty good. I'm going to see where the pricing goes after the thing is on the market a while and maybe buy my wife one for Christmas. She complains too much when holding my dSLRs about the weight.

yeah I also like the leica rangefinders but they are too expensive. For that price you can buy some real good DSLR lenses or a new Pro Camera.
Reason I would want a micro 1,6 is the size of the sensor. When you're used to DSLR quality its hard to take pictures with compact camera's.

I had an EP1 for two weeks. Fantastic camera for what it is. It's downsides are slower than DSLR AF, no OVF, and the HD video (which is important to me) was poor in low light. If you are taking still or travel photos, though, it's a kick-butt camera. Highly recommended.

Rumors are Canon is thinking of a big-sensor compact with a fixed lens (ala the DP1/2), though that's been a rumor for a while.

Meanwhile, I'm keeping my eye on the m43 development. Some very nice stuff coming in that format.